New York—Three out of four companies plan increased investments in database management in 2005 compared with last year, according to a Web survey by CSO Insights on behalf of direct marketing company Harte-Hanks.

In addition, according to the report, “2005 Executive Report: Target Marketing Priorities Analysis,” three out of five companies are planning to spend more on e-mail, Web design and data quality initiatives; and more than one in two plans to increase spending on search marketing.

“Database and interactive marketing lead all categories in new marketing investments,” said Richard Hochhauser, president-CEO at Harte-Hanks, in a statement. “Web sites and e-mail, in particular, really show strength.”